Fracking’s Forever Problem: Sixth in a series about the gas industry’s radioactive waste.
Each year, Pennsylvania produces an indeterminate amount of toxic oil and gas waste. Despite state efforts to track it, the exact figures remain unknown.
Regulators have long been aware of significant tracking issues in Pennsylvania’s fracking industry. Eleven years ago, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported discrepancies in landfill records. In 2023, a University of Pittsburgh study confirmed gaps totaling over 800,000 tons.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) pledged to investigate and update reporting standards for companies.
However, an Inside Climate News analysis of records from 2017 to 2024 indicates ongoing issues. Discrepancies amounting to 1.4 million tons were found, with landfills in southwestern Pennsylvania reporting more waste than operators claimed to send.
From 2017 to 2024, some landfills reported accepting 3.1 million tons, 80% more than the 1.7 million tons reported by Pennsylvania operators. These discrepancies might stem from waste coming from Ohio and West Virginia, not included in Pennsylvania operators’ reports. Alternatively, operators might be underreporting the waste they send.
David Hess, former DEP secretary, highlighted the lack of tracking. Contaminants in waste, including radioactive material and carcinogens, pose significant challenges without accurate data.
“It could be dumped right next to somebody’s house,” Hess stated, emphasizing the need for tracking to ensure effective regulation.
Inside Climate News inquired about DEP’s waste tracking. A spokesperson, Neil Shader, confirmed the review of annual landfill reports but noted that audits occur only during investigations.
Patrick Henderson of the Marcellus Shale Coalition stated that current regulations and industry safety practices protect public health and the environment. He assured that members are committed to transparency and responsibility.
As fracking progresses, Pennsylvania’s waste production increases. Between 2017 and 2024, operators reported 8.8 million tons of solid waste, sending 6.3 million tons to landfills. This is comparable to Allegheny County’s annual waste production.
Westmoreland, Imperial, and Arden Landfills in southwestern Pennsylvania account for 98% of the nearly 1.4 million-ton discrepancies, suggesting waste from neighboring states could be a factor.
In 2024, EQT Corp. reported clerical errors in waste reporting to the Arden Landfill, which have been corrected, but unaddressed errors might persist.
John Quigley, former DEP secretary, acknowledged the long-standing issue, noting the lack of resources to address it. He mentioned the underestimated impacts of fracking, as well as the staffing shortages at DEP.
State Rep. Greg Vitali previously highlighted staffing reductions that compromise DEP’s enforcement capabilities.
At a 2021 hearing, DEP cited lack of funding and staff as reasons for not cross-checking operators’ and landfills’ records. Oil and gas waste is not considered “hazardous,” leading to looser federal disposal regulations.
The lack of standard regulations complicates waste tracking across state lines. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia have varied rules, with Ohio not tracking incoming waste.
Losing Track of the Waste
The mismatch between operators’ and landfills’ records is one of many challenges in tracing oil and gas waste in Pennsylvania.
Data collection involves multiple DEP offices with varying requirements. Reports are stored in an online database managed by the Office of Oil and Gas Management.
Landfills submit various reports to different DEP bureaus, but many aren’t required to specify how much oil and gas waste they accept, complicating record comparisons.
Matt Kelso of FracTracker noted the overwhelming data volume and logistical challenges in tracking waste. Some waste heads to treatment facilities, but its ultimate fate remains unknown.
Tracking issues extend to landfill leachate, which contains potentially harmful chemicals. Quarterly leachate reports are submitted to DEP, but off-site tracking remains unclear.
The University of Pittsburgh study found elevated radium levels downstream of facilities treating landfill leachate.
In 2024, Hess observed a deer licking a road, suspecting oil and gas wastewater dumping. This scene underscored risks to wildlife and potential violations of state regulations.
Hess warned of the escalating data management challenges due to delayed oversight improvements. He noted, “The industry is getting much bigger,” while DEP falls behind in addressing the growing waste issue.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org